Carbon nanofibers (CNFs) are a fascinating electrode
material for
energy storage devices due to their one-dimensionality, interconnected
networks, and chemical stability. However, a relatively low specific
surface area of CNFs hinders their use as supercapacitor electrodes.
Here, nitrogen-doped hollow CNFs with hierarchical pore structures
are prepared via electrospinning of core–shell polymer nanofibers
and subsequent carbonization and activation under an ammonia atmosphere.
Hierarchical pore structures with micro-, meso-, and macropores are
controlled by an ammonia etching effect during the carbonization of
polymer nanofibers. In addition, a hollow structure in CNFs is obtained
by thermal decomposition of the core polymer during the carbonization/activation.
The nitrogen-doped activated hollow CNFs (ahCNFs) exhibited an exceptionally
high specific surface area of 3618 m2/g with increased
mesopores. Thus, a symmetric supercapacitor using ahCNFs electrodes
with a 6 M KOH aqueous electrolyte provides a high specific capacitance
of 208 F/g at a current density of 1 A/g, a high energy density of
7.22 W h/kg at a power density of 502 W/kg, a good rate capability,
and cyclic stability. Moreover, the freestanding ahCNFs are used for
flexible supercapacitor electrodes without any binder. This work demonstrates
the great potential of highly porous ahCNFs for high-performance energy
storage devices.